Foster Care Program Manager

StepStone Family & Youth Services; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 53,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

StepStone Family & Youth Services in Nashville, TN, is seeking a Program Manager to lead daily operations, supervise staff, coordinate services, and ensure quality care for youth and families in foster programs. This role emphasizes trauma-informed, strengths-based, and family-centered practices to support outcomes.

The successful candidate will collaborate with foster families, referral agencies, and leadership teams, ensuring licensing compliance and service excellence while promoting safety,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an accredited college or university, plus a minimum of two years of full‑time employment experience providing direct casework services to children and families.
• Administrative and clinical skills and be capable of working effectively with children, adults, staff, parents, referral sources, and the community.
• Capable of selecting qualified personnel, delegating responsibility, giving support and recognition, and commanding respect and confidence.

Responsibilities

• Works with the Executive Director in developing effective treatment interventions for children and families involved with the child welfare and/or juvenile justice systems.
• Evaluates treatment programs and makes recommendations to the Executive Director.
• Develops and administers standards and procedures for all treatment staff.
• Assists in the recruitment and hiring of qualified treatment staff and oversees training, supervision, promotion, and discipline.
• Oversees training, promotion, and discipline of treatment staff and provides ongoing supervision.
• Keeps the Executive Director and client agencies informed of agency’s programs and policies.
• Maintains a caseload and provides quality service to clients.
• Represents and interprets the agency’s programs and policies to the public custodial agencies, the courts, and the community.
• Maintains good working relationships with local, state, and national agencies, including schools, courts, welfare departments, probation departments, and other social service agencies.

Skills

Staff supervision

Program management

Compliance knowledge

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree

Job description

Overview

StepStone Family & Youth Services provides trauma‑informed, youth‑centered services to children and families involved in foster care. The Program Manager plays a vital leadership role in supporting program operations, staff development, service coordination, and quality care delivery for youth and families served within our foster care programs.

We are seeking a compassionate and organized Program Manager who is passionate about supporting children and families through trauma‑informed, strengths‑based, and family‑centered practices. This role is ideal for a leader who values accountability, collaboration, mentorship, and operational excellence while helping ensure positive outcomes for youth navigating complex emotional, behavioral, and family challenges.

The Program Manager is responsible for overseeing daily program operations, supervising staff, supporting foster families and multidisciplinary treatment teams, monitoring compliance and service quality, and ensuring programs operate in accordance with licensing standards, agency expectations, and state regulations. This position works closely with foster parents, referral agencies, community partners, and leadership teams to help ensure safe, stable, and supportive environments where youth can heal, grow, and thrive.

The ideal candidate is solutions focused, detail oriented, and committed to fostering a respectful and collaborative environment while empowering staff to deliver impactful, trauma‑informed services that promote safety, permanency, stability, and long‑term well‑being for youth and families.

Responsibilities

• Works with the Executive Director in developing effective treatment interventions for children and families involved with the child welfare and/or juvenile justice systems.
• Evaluates treatment programs and makes recommendations to the Executive Director.
• Develops and administers standards and procedures for all treatment staff.
• Assists in the recruitment and hiring of qualified treatment staff and oversees training, supervision, promotion, and discipline.
• Oversees training, promotion, and discipline of treatment staff and provides ongoing supervision.
• Keeps the Executive Director and client agencies informed of agency’s programs and policies.
• Maintains a caseload and provides quality service to clients.
• Represents and interprets the agency’s programs and policies to the public custodial agencies, the courts, and the community.
• Maintains good working relationships with local, state, and national agencies, including schools, courts, welfare departments, probation departments, and other social service agencies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an accredited college or university, plus a minimum of two years of full‑time employment experience providing direct casework services to children and families that includes providing services to families that need assistance in the protection and care of their children.
• Administrative and clinical skills and be capable of working effectively with children, adults, staff, parents, referral sources, and the community.
• Capable of selecting qualified personnel, delegating responsibility, giving support and recognition, and commanding respect and confidence.
• Ability to understand the special needs of children and families involved with the child welfare and/or juvenile justice system.
• Innovative and flexible enough to cope with interruptions, demands, and changing circumstances.
• Positive, effective, productive, and cooperative between staff, families, referral sources, and the community.

Salary Range

USD $53,000.00 - $55,000.00 / Year